Dear Editor: An open letter to Jeffrey Warsh, Executive Director, New Jersey Transit Dear Mr. Warsh: As homeowners living on the only residential street (Essex Street, in Jersey City) used by the Hudson-Bergen Light Rail (“HBLR”) we would like to give you a report card on the first week’s service. The overall grade is Failing. Given the narrowness of the street, the closeness of homes to the train, the bulk of the train and its velocity as it passes through our neighborhood, the conclusion of those living on the street is that life has become unbearable. The train is a traumatizing force in our lives. Additionally, Twenty-first Century’s (“21st”) Notice #23-00, dated April 12, 2000 and issued by their Manager of Transportation, Mark Steffen, must be commented on: All three directives, having to do with the Light Rail Train’s (“LRT”) emergency air horn, external public address speakers and use of the bell (“clanger”) are being largely ignored. The clangers are used excessively when not warranted, the grotesquely loud air horn is often being substituted for the clangers and the external speakers continue to be used (why is it even necessary to use an external speaker at all?) Is there any mechanism within your corporation for enforcing directives? By lowering the speed limit to 8 m.p.h. for the 800 feet of impacted residential street (Essex) and enforcing 21st’s own directives, you can implement actually being a good neighbor instead of issuing sincere we-really-work-with-the-community fables. Aristides Pappidas